ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Exactly! At this point it’s just a topic of discussion. Maybe will happen down the road but not anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

October 1st! It’s going down.

[Anonymous]

start a new thread

Anonymous wrote:October 1st! It’s going down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ECNL directors would know by now. The fact they don’t means more than likely not happening for 25/26.

I agree at some point we are past the window for it to happen by 25/26, but that time is almost certainly not yet past. Timeline of the last change:

Late August 2015 - US Soccer announces the change out of the blue, mandates for 17-18 season, recommends change for 16-17 season

Mid September 2015 - US Club and USYS announce they will be changing for 16-17 season

September 2015 to March 2016 - USYS and US Club complain that they weren't consulted on the change, US Soccer refuses to discuss it

March 2016 - tryouts begin according to new age groups

It didn't appear there was much need for a long notice period, as long as the announcements preceded tryouts by a few months. With the rumor out there, it would be nice to decide and announce either way soon though, so it's not hanging over everyone's heads all season.

[Anonymous]

Lots of naysayers in this thread, but there is way to much smoke out there to dismiss this as not happening. Rumor would get shut down if it didn't have legs. Have to think it's 80/20 happening and 60/40 happening next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of naysayers in this thread, but there is way to much smoke out there to dismiss this as not happening. Rumor would get shut down if it didn't have legs. Have to think it's 80/20 happening and 60/40 happening next year.

The rumor been shut down 101 times, then revived by conspiracy theorists 102 times

[Anonymous]

I think ECNL will allow bio-banding to copy the MLS playbook so trapped players can choose to play down with their same-grade peers. This will help provide a level field for trapped players during recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:October 1st! It’s going down.

They will not even had time to evaluate the responses from the clubs. I agree we are not past the time for 25/26 now. But they will not have a decision this year. It will be spring. Too late for 25/26. In any event -- still 50/50 which way this will go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:October 1st! It’s going down.

They will not even had time to evaluate the responses from the clubs. I agree we are not past the time for 25/26 now. But they will not have a decision this year. It will be spring. Too late for 25/26. In any event -- still 50/50 which way this will go.

Why would they evaluate the responses from the clubs. They just need to make it look like they took feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think ECNL will allow bio-banding to copy the MLS playbook so trapped players can choose to play down with their same-grade peers. This will help provide a level field for trapped players during recruiting.

Not all trapped players are late maturity developers

[Anonymous]

I think they are saying it would be offered to trapped players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ECNL directors would know by now. The fact they don’t means more than likely not happening for 25/26.

I agree at some point we are past the window for it to happen by 25/26, but that time is almost certainly not yet past. Timeline of the last change:

Late August 2015 - US Soccer announces the change out of the blue, mandates for 17-18 season, recommends change for 16-17 season

Mid September 2015 - US Club and USYS announce they will be changing for 16-17 season

September 2015 to March 2016 - USYS and US Club complain that they weren't consulted on the change, US Soccer refuses to discuss it

March 2016 - tryouts begin according to new age groups

It didn't appear there was much need for a long notice period, as long as the announcements preceded tryouts by a few months. With the rumor out there, it would be nice to decide and announce either way soon though, so it's not hanging over everyone's heads all season.

The fact that nothing official has been said by now means probably won’t happen until 26/27. Obviously there is something holding this back from happening so it’s either not fully agreed upon enough yet to say yes.

If they don’t announce by November it’s probably a lost cause for Fall 25/26.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think ECNL will allow bio-banding to copy the MLS playbook so trapped players can choose to play down with their same-grade peers. This will help provide a level field for trapped players during recruiting.

Not all trapped players are late maturity developers

There just saying that ECNL will create some kind of loophole, like MLS has for biobanding, so clubs can let a few players play down a year to balance teams.

[Anonymous]

To provide a better product for college coaches, it makes sense for ECNL to allow late birthday players an option to play down. This is a win-win for both college coaches and trapped players. It also gives ECNL an edge if GA does not follow through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think ECNL will allow bio-banding to copy the MLS playbook so trapped players can choose to play down with their same-grade peers. This will help provide a level field for trapped players during recruiting.

Not all trapped players are late maturity developers

There just saying that ECNL will create some kind of loophole, like MLS has for biobanding, so clubs can let a few players play down a year to balance teams.

Biobanding isn't a loophole
It's a legitimate process for late maturing kids to not get left out of the sport.

Individual clubs abusing it for selfish reasons is a different story